Captive aeroplane



2 SHEETS'SHEET I G. E. MONTAGUE. CAPTlVE AE LANE. Fl LED Dec. 1920.

Jan. 3%, 1923.

LZOIT Patented Jan. 30, 1923.

UNlTED STATES GAPTIVE AEROPLANE.

Application filed. December 7, 1920. Serial No. 429,042.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. MoN'rAoUn, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident oi l Vest Springfield, in the county oi? Hampden and iritate ot Massa currents, and partake more or less of the nature of aeroplanes or similar ClGVICQS or machines, and resides more especially in wind or air-operated device or appliance which mounted and adapted to rise and tall and swing on a rod, spindle, wire, or other suitable supporting standard or member together with such other features, parts, and members, as may be necessary or desirable in order to render the appliance complete, satisfactory, and serviceable, such as yielding means or a i'iexible connection \vhcreby the/pitch oi? the lifting planes may be automatically changed to increase ordecrease the resistance of the same to the wind or air currents, locking means for said planes, a brake tor the propeller, a brake or look whereby the movable parts on the supporting member may be retarded in their movement or held siationary thereon, a counterweight for said movable parts, and a suspended body or car, any or all ot these ieaturcs, parts, and members, and others as well, being applicable to what may be termed the primary elements of my inven-. tion, all ashereinatter set forth.

The primary object of my invention is to produce an appliance which compr'ses an approximately vertical guide member, and a connected aeroplane element which is capable of rising or being moved upwardly on said member by the action or air currents forced against it, or such action when said. aeroplane elei'nent lS fOl'CHl through the air. the flight ot the aeroplane element being limited. and the descent thereof also being limited. and the. aeroplane being guided between the upper and lower limits of movement or the predetermined limits oi flight and descent of the same. The aeroplane element is capable. also. of circling about or around the guidemember. Thus the aero ilane element is held captive, although tree to move vertically Within predetermined limits, and to swing horizontally as on a pivot. The guide member or guide may be stationary, or it may be carried in the hand or on a vehicle.

Another object of my invention is to providea captive aeroplane, of the character described above, which can be made in various sizes. It may be small enough to be used by a child as a toy, or of a size sufficiently large to hold one or more persons. Moreover, the appliance can be used in various ways, as by being mounted on or at tached to an automobile, carried about in the hand, or mounted on or suspended from a building or other fixed support, or by having its supporting member or guide firmly set in the ground or on a fixed base, as when said appliance is made of a size large enough for the accommodation and actual carrying of children or grown people.

Still. another object is to afford means in a captive aeroplane, whereby the pitch of the planes thereof is or maybe automatically variedor adjusted to meet the variations in the air currents or wind pressure, and thus protect said planes and other parts of the a 'ipliance from injury.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the course of the following description.

'5. attain the objects and secure the advantages of my inrentionbythe means illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in \Yhicli-- Figure l is a side elevation of a captive aeroplane which embodies a practical form ot my invention, middle portions of the rods and rope being broken out; Fig. 2, an enlarged, side elevation of the forward portion of the aeroplane element which is illustrated in the preceding view; Fig. 3, an enlarged, top plan of parts of said aeroplane element showinglocking means for the forward planes; Fig. i, an enlarged -detail, in partial section, showing the brake or lock by means oi? which said element may be secured at any point on the supporting member or guide theretoryFig. 5, a side elevation of an aeroplane element which is provided with a body or car at the bottom; Fig. (l. a side elevation of an aeroplane element. having a single forward plane; Fig. 7.. a front elevation of an aeroplane element which has box planes. and, Fig. 8, an elevation of a supporting member or guide which is designed more especially to be car-' ricd in the hand. the central portion thereotheing broken out.

lOO

Similar characters of reference designate similar parts throughout the several views.

As previously intimated, my invention consists of or comprises in each case a supporting member or guide which is usually positioned vertically or approximately so, and an aeroplane element which is provided with means whereby the same may be freely and loosely connected with said guide and rises and falls thereon and circles about the same, such element including, if desired or necessary, certain subsidiary or auxiliary features, of some of which mention has been made and a description in detail will subsequently be given.

The aeroplane element or aeroplane proper, apart from its guide, which is also its keeper, will hereinafter be termed merely aeroplane- The aeroplane in each case consists in part of a suitable framework or frame, one of the more essential members of which is backbone or its equivalent.

1 will first describe in detail the captive aeroplane illustrative in the first four views of the drawings. This captive aeroplane is susceptible of use for carrying children or grown people, provided the same be made sufficiently large and strong, although it, like the other examples shown in connection herewith, is primarily intended to be used as a toy and would then be too small to support any considerable weight.

The captive aeroplane in question consists of a supporting member, rod, or guide 1, and an aeroplane which comprises and includes a body 2, the same being only an imitation, a backbone 3, upper and under, forward, lifting planes 4 connected at their front, longitudinal edges by a series of braces, the intermediate pair of which appear at 5, and connected at their rear, longitudinal edges by a series of braces as .6, a propeller 7 mounted at the front end of a horizontal support 6 which in turn is mounted on said guide, a link 9 and a pin 36 connecting said pair of braces with said support, a staple 10 and an eye-bolt 11 through which said guide passes and by means of which and said support 8 said aeroplane is attached to or connected with said guide, and an auxiliary vane, fin, or plane 40 on each side of said backbone, and a rudder 41 rising from said backbone at the rear terminal thereof. In addition to the aforesaid parts and members there is an extension rod 12 mounted on the guide 1, a rope 13, and a weight 14.

In both Figs. 1 and 2 the braces are omitted which if in place would hide the central pair at 5.

The guide 1 may be attached at the bot tom to any suitable support, and said guide is provided at the lower terminal with a nut and a washer 16 upon which latter rests a bumper or shock-absorber in the form of a spiral spring 17. This spring serves as a cushion for the aeroplane when it descends, the eyebolt 11 being then received on top of said spring. There is a similar bumper or shock-absorbing spring 17 at the upper terminal of the guide 1, and this serves to cushion the aeroplane when it as cends, the eye-bolt 10 then contacting with the bottom of said spring. Thus the aeroplane is protected or saved from undue shock or jar. The upper spring 17 bears at the top against one of a pair of nuts 18 which nuts are screwed on the upper terminal of the guide 1. A. disk 19 is held in place between the upper nut 18 and a nut 20 above said disk. Guy wires or ropes may be attached to the disk 19 in the event it be necessary or desirable to support or brace the guide 1 at the top. The extension rod 12 has a horizontal eye 21 at the base which fits over the upper terminal of the guide 1. and is received between a pair of washers 22 on said terminahsaid washers and said eye being held in place by the nut 20, and a nut 23 on said guide above the upper washer. Another disk, for additional supporting members for the guide 1, is represented at 24 on the upper terminal portion of said. guide, whereon it is held securely by means of the nut 23 and a nut 25 on said guide above said disk. Either or both of these disks might be removed to the top of the extension rod 12 if desired.

The extension rod 12 is providedat the top with an angular bracket 26. The horixontal part of the bracket 26 fits over the upper terminal of the rod 12 and is secured thereto by means of a pair of nuts 27 and a pair of washers 28 on said terminal. A pulley-block 29 is supported from the vertical part of the bracket 26. One end of the rope 13 is attached at 305m the top of the upper plane 4 near the front, longitudinal edge thereof, and said rope passes upwardly through the pulley-block 29 and downwardly to have the weight 14 attached thereto at the free end thereof. The object or purpose of the weight 14 will be presently explained. The rod 12 may be arranged to rotate or swivelon the guide 1.

The staple 10 is attached to the upper plane 4 and projects beyond the front, longitudinal edge thereof, while the eye-bolt 11 inovably connected, by means of plates 31. with the intermediate braces 5. The eye-bolt 11 is bifurcated and passes through the plates 31 which are secured to the front and back sides of said braces 5 just above the bottom plane 4 and adjacent to the front, longitudinal edge of the latter. At the rear end of one of the aforesaid shanks is a nut 32. and a spring encircles said shank between said nut and the rear plate 31.

The vertical opening in the support 8 for greater theguide lis shown at 34in Fig. 3. There is a transverse slot 35 in the support 8 adjacent tov the rear end thereof, and a pin 36 passes through the intermediate braces 5 and said slot. The rear terminal portion of the support 8 passes between the interme diate braces 5. The link 9 has one end pivoted at 37. to the upper terminal of one-of the intermediate braces 5, and the other end is pivoted. at 38 to the support 8 forward of the position of the opening 34.

The member 2 and the backbone 3 are rigidly attached to the intermediate braces 5.

It will now be seen that the planes 4, with the member 2 and the backbone 3, can oscillate on the pivot 36 under the control of the link 9, so as to change the pitch of said planes, and that the latter will normally be retained by the spring 33 with a downward and rearward inclination, owing to the fact that said spring bears between the nut 32 on the bifurcated eye-bolt 11 which is mounted on the guide 1, and the rear plate 31 which is attached to the intermediate braces 5. The amount of tension with which the planes 4 and attached parts are held bythe spring 33 may bevaried by adjusting the nut 32 on the shank of the eye-bolt 11 which carries said nut and the spring 33. By screwing the nut 32 farther on to its shank the spring 33 has a compression, l orceis required to rock the planes 4 upwardlyand the aeroplane will not descend on the guide 1 so easily or quickly. By screwing the nut 32 outwardly on its shank the spring 33has less compression, consequently force is required to rock the planes 4 upwardly and the aeroplane will descend on the guide 1 more easily and quickly.

The propeller 7 is mounted loosely on a stud or screw 39 which projects from the trout end of the support 8, and said propeller-is freely revolved by the air currents which come in contactwith the same or with which the propeller comes in contact. other than to serve as a revolving member.

T he auxiliary planes 40, which extend laterally from the back bone 3, cooperate to a rreater or less extent with the planes 4, while the rudder 41 acts as a steering memher to cause the aeroplane to head up into the wind, the aeroplane then swinging about the guide 1.

is the air currents come into contact with the planes 4 and 40 and the rudder 41 the aeroplane is elevated on the guide 1 and rotated thereoirrising and falling on said guide and turning; about the same in accordance with the v riations in the velocity and direction of said currents. As the aeroplane rises and falls on the guide 1 it encounters the bumpers or springs 17, so that no inconsequently more The propeller performs no function jury is received. In the event the air currents overcome the resistance of the spring 33, the latter yields and the planes 4 and rigidly attached parts swing upwardly and reduce the angle thereof relativeto the horizon, whereby danger of breakage is practi- I rally eliminated. The planes 4 and rigidly attached parts oscillate on the pivot 36, which moves back and forth in the slot 35, the link 9 controlling such movement.

In the event it be desired to lock the planes 4 and rigidly attached parts against I oscillatory movement, a wedge 42' may be inserted in the slot in the support8, either 111 front of or, behind the intermediate braces 5, and there held by means of vertical pins 43. If the wedge 42 be placed in front of said blades 5, the parts are locked withthe planes 4 in a more nearly horizontal position so that they are less affected by wind, than when said wedge is introduced behind said braces. The wedge 42 has a plurality of holes 44 therein to receive the pins 43 and so provide gradations of adjustment,

for the planes. 1 j

If desired, a brake for the propeller 7 may be provided, and also a brake or stop for the aeroplane on the guide 1. i The brake for the propeller 7 consists of an angular le'ver45 which is pivoted at 46 to one side of the support 8, and has at its iterward end a shoe 4?, which shoe is located in positiion to be thrustinto contact with the hub of said propeller, when such shoeis ac- 7. Upon attaching the spring 49 so that it draws down the handle of the lever 45, the shoe 47 is thrust against the hub of the pro peller 7 with sufiicient force either to stop the same altogether or to cause it to revolve more slowly. The amountot pressure of the shoe '4? on the propeller hub depends on the strength of the spring 49, oi course, and on the amount of tension which is given the same and which may be varied by inserting itin one or another otsereralholes 5O pro vided in the brake-lever arm for that pur pose.

Brake elements, whereby the aereplane may be locked to the guide 1 or may be caused to move less freely thereon, consist of an angular leveril which is fulcrumed on a horizontal pin 52 in the intermediate braces 5 just under the upper plane, 4, a shoe '53 on the down-turned terminal portion of said lever, and a spring 54:. The shoe 53 is in position to engage the guide 1 when the lever 51 is depressed at the rear end and thus rocked'on the pin 52., Normally the lever 51'is disposed, with the shoe 53 out of contact with the guide 1,'by the spring 54 which is connected at the rear end with a hook 55 on the inside of one of the intermediate braces 5, the front terminal 01"- said spring being connected with the rear terininalot' said lever. Upon detaching the spring 54 and pressing down the rear terminal of the lever 51, or pressing down said rear terminal without detaching said spring, the shoe 53 is thrust into contact with the guide 1, the force 01" such contact depending upon the amount of power exerted on said rear terminal, so that the shoe may act merely as a brake to slow up the action of the aeroplane on the guide 1, or it may serve as a lock to bind said aeroplane so tightly to said guide that there will be no movement of the former on or relative to the latter. p

The office of the weight i l, acting through the rope- 13 on the aeroplane, is to'counterbalance and stabilize the latter more or less and assist in raising the same. This counterweight is an auxiliary device that would only be used in the event the aeroplane were to carry a considerable load, when used for carrying. people.

1n the event it be desired to suspend the guide 1, rather than to support. the same from below, the same may be done by at taching either of the disks 19 or 2% to a suitable overhead support.

In Fig. 5 I show an aeroplane which comprises, with planes, at rudder, and a propeller which are very similar to corresponding elementsthat have already been described, a backbone56 to the front end of which a propeller 7 is connected, depending posts or supports 57 and 59, the former being in front of the latter, a brace 82 between said backbone and saidsupport 58, and a body or car 59. The support 57 extends above the backbone 56, and the intermediate plane brace 5, which is the one shown, is pivoted at the top to said support as represented at 6. The support 57 is provided above and below the horizontal plane of the backbone 56 with eye-bolts 6l-61 which are the elements that are directly mounted on the guide 1, or on any other standard with which this aeroplane may be connected. A spring 62 has one end connected with the brace 5 below the pivot 60. and the other end connected with the backbone 56 forward of said brace. This spring has a constant tendency to draw the planes l: downwardly, with the rear, longitudinal edgeot the upper plane bearing on the backbone 56, in position to aiiord the practical maximum resistance to the air currents, but said spring will yield, under too strong pressure' from the wind, so that said planes may swing upwardly and rearwardly onthe pivot 60, andthus be relieved from undue strain and protected from liability of breakage. Two series of transverse openings 63 are provided in the backbone56 adjacent to the braces 5 and 6, for the purpose of rebe provided at the rear end with laterally extending, auxiliary planes 4:0. in order to enhance'the appearance of the car 59 and render the illusion more complete, the same may be provided with wheels 65 to run on the ground, such wheels being connected with arms (it that are pivoted at 83 to the sides of said car and capable of being turned up to locate said wheels above the bottoin oisaid car, as shown in the drawing.

he Fig. 5 aeroplane might be made large enough to carr passengers and to he used in place of the aeroplane shown innFi-g. l, or

the latter might be equipped with the car59 and its appurtenances. The counterweight may be used in connection with this aeroplane. i

The aeroplane illustrated in (3 is a simple appliance that consists of a backbone 67 to. which auxiliary planes L0 and a rudder 4d are attached, a vertical post or support 68 with the intermediate portion of which the forward terminal of said backbone is pivotally connectedat 78, the pivot.

passing through a longitudinal slot 74 in said backbone, a single, forward plane ()9 which is pivotally connected by a plurality of rings at its forward, longitudinal edge with the upper edge portion of a transverse bar 70 secured to the support at the upper terminal thereof, eye-bolts 61-61, and a spring 72. The support 68 extends above and below the horizontal plane of the backbone 67, and said stuaport has a forwardlyextending rod 84, with a stud or screw 39 in the outer end for a propeller. The eye-120.

bolts 61 extend from the lrontside 1 the support 68 to receive thegnide on or with which this aeroplane is used. The spring 72 has one end connected with the support 68 below the pivot 73, and the other end connected with the backbone 6T behind the slot H therein, a plurality of holes 90 in said backbone being provided for said sprii'ig so that the tension of the latter may be varied. The spring is arranged and adapted normally i l-i) to retain the pivot 73 in the rear end of the slot i l, and to yield under excessive pressure of wind on the planes 69 and 40 to relieve such pressure and to-prevent damaging the parts, as do corresponding springs in the other examples,

If desired a wedge 77 may be inserted in the slot 749120 retain the pivot 73in the 'tront end of said slot, or at some intermediate position,'so as to decrease permanently or ,place of the braces 5 and .6 in the other constructions wherein two lifting planes are provided at the forward end of the aeroplane. The forward planes are here represented by the numeral 78. The planes 77 are secured to a central upright 79 which is provided with'eye-bolts 61 to serve the same purpose as corresponding eye-bolts: in the other appliances. 'The upright 79 secured to a backbone S5. A iropeller 7 is mounted on a stud '39 which projects forwvardly from the upright 79 near the base Inother respects, and more parthereof. ticularly with relationto the rear end of 1 this aeroplane, the construction is similar to the others." i

The guide 1 illustrated in Fig. 8 is provided at thebottom with a handle 80, and at the top with a ring 81. The handle is designed to be carried in the hand o't a child or person using one o'l these appliancesas a toy, while the ring 81 is provided I'm-the purpose of suspending the guide 'l roin a snitablesupport should it he'desired tofldo so. Thering 81 also serves as a stop for the upper bumper or spring 17. guide must bethrust down through the eye belts or equivalent members of the aeroplane, before the bottom spring 17 is placed on said guide and the handlcSilis attached thereto.

Any Oilibl'lfi modified aeroplanes hereinbefore described may be used or mounted on a jv suitable guide 1, and the same operates thereon. in a manner similar to that described in connection with] the aeroplane shown in the first vi.ew,that is tosay, the

aeroplane in any case is actuated upwardly by the wind or air currents acting against the under sides of the lifting planes, and

guide as motion is imparted to the former y the action of theair currents or the This wind on the rudder. The shocloabsorbers or springs 17 are used in practically every case ior'thc purpose of reducing to the minimum shock and jar and the liability ofinjury or breakage. I I

Although I have herein shown and de scribed a number of difterent applications of n'iy invention, it is to be understood that T have by no means exhausted the possible variations, wherefore I do not desire to be limited to the exact constructions herein.

shown and described, but seek to cover all .modificationsand changes which fall withthe bottom and with projecting means at the topyofan aeroplane consisting in part of a lifting air plane, andin part oit connecting means between said plane and the aeroplane body to enable the plane automatically to move 11 wardly and downwardly,- relative to said bo y, under, the action on said plane of the 'air currents with which the same comes in contact, whereby the angle of theplane to said body is changed, and provided with means for loosely attachingsaid aeroplane at one terminal to said rod between said handle and said projection, the construction and arrangement of parts being such that the aeroplane rises and falls and swings in horizontal planes at said rod.

2. The combination, in a captive aeroplane, with a supporting member, of an aeroplane slidingly connected with said supporting member, and consisting in part of a lifting air plane which causes said aeroplane to move upwardly and downwardly,on said supporting member, under the action there, on of: the air currents with which said plane comes in contact, and provided. with, means whereby the angle of said plane to said sup porting member may change.

i 3. The combination, inacaptive aeroplane, with a supporting member, of an aeroplane slidingly and rotatably connected with said supporting member, and consisting in part of a lifting air plane which causes said aeroplane to move upwardly and downg wardly, on said supporting member under the-action thereon of the air currents with which said plane comes in contact, and provided with means whereby the angleot said plane to said supporting member may change. 1 1 V 4; The combination, in a captive aeroplane, with a supporting member, of an aeroplane slidingly connected with said supporting member, and consisting in part of a lifting air plane which causes said aeroplane to move upwardly and downwardly, on said supporting member under the action thereon terminal I on said of the air ffllllGlliifi with which said plane comes in contact, and provided. with means whereby the angle of said plane to said supporting member may be changed and fixed.

5. The combination, in a captive aeroplane, with a supporting member, ot' an aeroplane slidingly and rotatably connected with said supporting member, and consisting in part of a-litting air plane which causes said aeroplane to move upwardly and downwardly, on said supporting member, under the action thereon of the air currents with which said plane comes in contact, and provided with means whereby the angle of said plane to said supporting member may be changed. and fixed. l

6. The combination, in a captive aeroplane, with a supporting member, of an aeroplane slidinglyconnected at one terminal with said supporting member, and consisting in part of a lifting air plane which moves upwardly and downwardly under the action thereon of the air currents with which said plane comes in contact,the construction and arrangement o'li parts being such that the aeroplane rises and falls at said terminal on said supporting member, and yielding means to 'limit' both the upward and downward movement of said-aeroplane on said sup porting member.

7. The combination, in a captive aeroplane, with a rod provided with upper and underprojecting members, and spiral springs arranged on said rod between said projecting members, of an aeroplane consisting in part of a lifting air plane which moves upwardly and downwardly under the action thereon of the'air currents with which said plane comes in contact, and provided at one terminal with means for loosely attaching said aeroplaneto said rod between said springs, the construction and arrangement of parts being such that the aeroplane rises and falls and swings in horizontal planes at said terminal on said rod, and is received by said springs at the ends oi its vertical travel. 8. The combination, in a captive aeroplane, with a supporting memben'of an aeroplane slidingly connected at one terminal with said supporting member. an d consisting in part of a lifting air plane which causes said. aeroplane to move upwardly and downwardly, on said, supporting member, under the action thereon oi the'air currents with which said plane comes in contact, and provided with means whereby the angle oi said plane to said supporting member may change, and. an. air rudder carried by said aeroplane at the opposite terminal.

9. The combination, in a captive aeroplane, with supporting member, of an aeroplane slidingly connected at one terminal withsaid'supporting member, and consisting in part of a lifting air plane which causes sail 'aeroplane to move upwardly and downwardly, ,on said supporting member, under the action thereon of the air currents with which said plane comes in contact, and pro-. vided with means whereby the angle of said plane to said supporting .n'iember may change, and an air propeller carried by said aeroplane at said terminal. w

- 10. The combination, inv a captive aeroplane, with a supporting member, of an aeroplane slidingly connected at one terminal with said supporting member, and consisting in part of a lifting air plane which causes said aeroplane to move upwardly and downwardly, on said supporting member-,underthe action thereon of the air currents with which said plane comes in contact, and pro.- vided with means whereby the angle of said plane to said supporting member may change, an air propeller carried by said aeroplane at the opposite terminal, and a friction "rake for said propeller.

11. The combination, in a captive aeroplane, with a supporting member, of an aeroplane movably connected with said supporting member, and consisting in part of a lifting air plane which moves upwardly and downwardly under the'action thereon of the air currents with which said plane comes in contact, and means to engage said supporting member and check the movement of said aeroplane between the limits of its up and down travel.

l2. lhe combination, in a captive aeroplane, with a supporting member, of an aeroplane movably connected with said supporting member, and consisting in part of a lifting air plane which moves upwardly and downwardly under the action thereon of the air currents with which said plane comes in contact, said aeroplane being provided with a friction brake to engage said supporting member and check the aeroplane in its movement relative to said supporting member.

13. The combination, in a captive aeroplane, with a supporting member, of an aeroplane, movably' connected with said supporting member, and comprising a lifting air plane, and a flexible jointed connection whereby the angle or' said plane to said sup porting member. may be, automatically varied.

14. The combination, in a captive aero plane, with. a supporting member, of an aeroplane movably connected with said supportingmein'ber, and comprising lifting air plane, and a flexible jointed. connection whereby the angle of said plane to said sup porting member may be automatically varied, and locking means for said connection.

115. The combination, in a captive. aeriv plane. with a supporting member, and a superimposed rod provided with a pulley, of an aeroplane movably connected with said supportingmember, and consisting in part f a li tingplan a rop pas s er said pulley and having one end attael'lecl to said aeroplane, and a \VGlg'llt attaehecl to the other end of said rope.

16. The combination in a ea )tive aero- 7 plane, with a supporting member for an aeroplane, of an aeroplane movably connected adjacent to one terminal of the aeroplane witlrsaicl supporting member, sairl aeroplane consisting in partof alifting air plane, and in part of connecting means and the angle of said plane is automatically varied by the action thereon of currents of air.

GEORGE E. MONTAGUE.

Witnesses:

A. C. FAIRBANKS, F. A. CUTTER. 

